Safety switch with hinge type interlocking mechanism for operating switch contacts or preventing actuation thereof

ABSTRACT

In association with an electrical outlet there is provided a cover member which is pivotally mounted to the outlet mounting plate for movement between a first position in which the cover member covers the electrical outlet and a second position in which this outlet is uncovered. An electric switch is connected in circuit with the electrical outlet whereby when the switch is in an open condition the electrical outlet is deenergized, and when the switch is in a closed condition the electrical outlet is energized, the switch incorporating a disc of electrically insulating material which is mounted on the cover member coaxially with the pivotal mounting thereof and through which a body of electrically conducting material is eccentrically mounted. The disc thus turns in the appropriate direction during pivotal movement of the cover member between the first and second positions thereof, the body of electrically conducting material being disposed between and in contact with spaced electrical contacts of the switch when the cover member is in the first position so that the switch is thus in the closed condition, and a portion of the disc of electrically insulating material being disposed between the contacts of the switch when the cover member is in the second position so that the switch is thus in the open condition.

United States Patent [191 Splingaerd Dec. 25, 1973 SAFETY SWITCH WITH HINGE TYPE INTERLOCKING MECHANISM FOR OPERATING SWITCH CONTACTS OR PREVENTING ACTUATION THEREOF [76] lnventor: John Peter Splingaerd, 715 Pine St.,

Dunnville, Ontario, Canada 22 Filed: s 1,29,'1972 21 Appl.No.:293,433

[52] US. Cl 200/50 A, ZOO/61.19, 200/166 BA 200/168 D [51] Int. Cl. H0lh 9/22 [58] Field of Search 200/11 A, 11 K, 50 A,

ZOO/61.58 R, 61.62, 61.7, 168 c, 168 D, 200/172 R .7g A

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,439,708 4/1948 Abraham 200/50 A 2,599,953 6/1952 Summers ZOO/61.19 X

Primary Examiner-J. R. Scott Attorney-J. A. Legris [57] ABSTRACT In association an electrical outlet there is pro vided a cover member which is pivotally mounted to the outlet mounting plate for movement between a first position in which the cover member covers the electrical outletand a second position in which this outlet is uncovered. An electric switch is connected in circuit with the electrical outlet whereby when the Switqh is 3 09" dititnfle ls tnse e is deenergized, and when the switch is in a closed condition the electrical outlet is energized, the switch incorporating a disc of electrically insulating material which is mounted on the cover member coaxially with the pivotal mounting thereof and through which a body of electrically conducting material is eccentrically mounted. The disc thus turns in the appropriate direction during pivotal movement of the cover member between the first and second positions thereof, the

body of electrically conducting material being disposed between and in contact with spaced electrical contacts of the switch when the cover member is in the first position so that the switch is thus in the closed condition, and a portion of the disc of electrically insulating material being disposed between the contacts of the switch when the cover member is in the second position so that the switch is thus in the open condition.

9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures mamas PATENTED BEBE 5 I975 HA; I? I FIG.4

SAFETY SWITCH WITH HINGE TYPE INTERLOCKING MECHANISM FOR OPERATING SWITCH CONTACTS R PREVENTING ACTUATION This invention is concerned with a safety device for electrical outlets, and with a safety electrical supply arrangement which incorporates such a device. It is conventional practice to provide in the electrical circuitry of, for example, homes, apartments, and other living accommodation electrical outlets in the form of wall mounted socket outlets which are frequently disposed a small distance above the floor level or which are otherwise readily accessible to young children or other persons such as, for example, mentally retarded persons to whom such an electrical outlet constitutes a potential danger. When in use such an electrical outlet is engaged by the plug associated with a mains operated electrical appliance such as, for example, a vacuum cleaner or an electric lamp thereby to permit the supply of electrical energy to the appliance for operation thereof. However, when such an outlet is not in use a person such as, for example, a young child may insert an article of electrically conducting material such as a metallic hair clip into the socket outlet with, of course, a substantial risk of the person sustaining an electrical shock which is sufficiently severe could result in the accidental electrocution of the person.

It has hitherto been proposed with the view to overcoming this disadvantage to provide cover plates of electrically insulating material which, when the socket outlets are not in use, are engaged therewith by, for example, the frictional engagement of prongs presented by the plates within the openings in the outlets. While such an arrangement has proved to be reasonably satisfactory it does suffer from the disadvantages that persons such as young children may be capable of removing the cover plates, and in addition a person after using a socket outlet may inadvertently omit to replace the cover plate in engagement with the outlet.

A further arrangement which has hitherto been proposed is that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,439,708 which issued on Apr. 13, 1948 to H.A. Abraham and which is the most relevant prior art of which the applicant is aware. In this arrangement disclosed by Abraham there is incorporated a cover box which is pivotally movable between a first position in which it covers a pair of socket outlets and a second position in which these socket outlets are uncovered, a switch being so connected in circuit with the socket outlets that when the switch is in a closed condition the socket outlets are energized or live, and when the switch is in an open condition the socket outlets are deenergized or dead. The switch includes spring arms which when the cover box is in the second position thereof are unstressed with the switch being in the open condition, and which when the cover box is in the first position thereof are urged under the influence of arms presented by the cover box to a position in which the switch is in the closed condition. Thus, in the use of the arrangement in the intended manner the socket outlets are energized only when the cover box is in the first position thereof and since with the cover in this position it would be extremely difficult for persons such as young children to insert articles of electrically conducting material into the openings in the socket outlets it will be appreciated that the danger of persons sustaining an electrical shock is substantially reduced.

However, it is a disadvantage of the arrangement disclosed by Abraham that although in the intended manner of use of the arrangement the socket outlets are deenergized when the cover box is in the second position it is possible with the cover box in this position for an appropriate article or articles to be inserted to cause closing of the switch with resultant energization of the socket outlets even while the cover box remains in the second position thereof. Furthermore, it is possible that owing to, for example, arcing the spring arms in the switch may remain in the position in which the switch is in the closed condition after the cover box has been pivotally moved to the second position with again the result that the socket outlets are energized when the cover box is in this second position.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a safety device for electrical outlets, and a safety electrical supply arrangement incorporating such a device, in which the above-described disadvantages are substantially overcome or obviated.

According to the present invention there is provided a safety device for electrical outlets, the device comprising, in combination, an electric switch which is connectible in circuit with an electrical outlet and which has an open condition and a closed condition, supply of electrical energy through the switch being permitted when the switch is in the closed condition and being prevented when the switch is in the open condition, and a cover member which is movable between first and second positions in which the cover member is adapted to cover and uncover, respectively, the electrical outlet. The switch includes a control member, which is so connected to the cover member that with the cover member in the first position thereof the control member is positioned to cause the switch to be in the closed condition, and with the cover member in the second position thereof the control member is positioned to cause the switch to be in the open condition and to be prevented by the control member from attaining the closed condition.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood and more readily carried into effect the same will now, by way of example, be more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which;

FIG. 1 is a partially sectioned side view of a safety electrical supply arrangement according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of parts of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 but of only portions of the arrangement shown therein and with these portions in a different operative condition than in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectioned view on the line 4 4 in FIG. d

FIG. 5 is a sectioned view on the line 5 5 in FIG. 1.

Referring to the drawing, 10 denotes generally an electrical outlet mounting member in the form of a plate which is of approximately rectangular form and which is provided with electrical outlet locations in the form of openings 11 within each of which there is operatively mounted an electrical outlet one of which is diagrammatically shown in FIG. 1 and is denoted by the reference numeral 12, a hole 13 being provided in the plate 10 with a screw (not shown) being disposed through the hole 13 for mounting of the plate 10. It is to be understood that there may be only one or more than two openings 11 each of which has mounted therein an outlet 12.

The outlets 12 may each be constituted by a conventional socket outlet incorporating openings (not shown) which are operatively engageable by the projecting prongs (not shown) of a plug 14 connected at one end of a flexible cable 15 the other end of which is connected to an electrical appliance such as a vacuum cleaner or electrical lamp (not shown) so that when the socket outlet 12 is energized or live" by being connected by way of a supply cable 16 to a mains supply of electrical energy the electrical appliance may be operated, as is conventional practice.

Incorporated in the arrangement is an electric switch denoted generally by the reference numeral 17, this switch 17, which has an open condition in which supply of electrical energy through the switch 17 is prevented and a closed condition in which supply of electrical energy through the switch 17 is permitted, comprising two spaced electrical contacts 18 each of which is provided on an end of an arm 19. The arms 19 are of electrically conducting material and are of resilient form such that the contacts 18 are resiliently urged towards one another, the switch 17 being electrically connected in circuit with the socket outlets 12 by the arms 19 being connected in the appropriate line 20 so that when the switch 17 is in the open condition the socket outlets 12 are deenergized or dead thereby preventing any danger of a person such as a young child sustaining an electric shock by inserting an electrically conducting article into any of the openings of the socket outlets 12.

The switch 17 also comprises a control member which is constituted by a disc 21 of electrically insulating material through which there is eccentrically mounted a body 22 of electrically conducting material such as a plug of copper. The disc 21, which is disposed through an elongated slot 23 provided in the plate 10, may be turned about the centre thereof between a first position shown in FIG. 1 in which the body 22 is disposed between and in contact with the contacts 18 so that the switch 17 is thus in the closed condition, and a second position shown in FIG. 3 in which a portion of the disc 21 of electrically insulating material is disposed between the contacts 18 so that the switch 17 is thus in the open-condition.

24 denotes generally a cover member which is movable between a first position, shown in FIG. 1 in which it covers the socket outlets 12 and a second position, shown in FIG. 3, in which the socket outlets 12 are uncovered, the cover member 24 and the switch 17 together constituting a safety device for electrical outlets. This movement of the cover member 24 between the first and second positions thereof is, in the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawing, a pivotal movement about a pivot pin 25 which is disposed through spaced lugs 26 provided on the plate 10 and intermeshing spaced lugs 27 provided on the cover member 24. Movement of the disc 21 is controlled by movement of the cover member 24, the disc 21 in the preferred embodiment being fixedly mounted on, and preferably integrally formed with, the cover member 24 with the disc 21 being coaxially disposed relative to the pivotal mounting of the cover member 24 about the pin 25. Thus, when the cover member 24 is in the first position thereof shown in FIG. 1 the switch 17 is in the closed condition in which the socket outlets 12 are energized, while when the cover be understood that in alternative embodiments (not shown) of the invention the rib 28 may completely surround the socket outlets 12. Side walls 29 of the cover member 24 embrace the rib 28 when the cover member 24 is in the first position with at least aportion 30 of the side walls 29 being recessed and being laterally spaced from the rib 28 as is most clearly shown in FIG. 5. As is shown in FIG. 5 and also in FIG. 1 there is thereby provided a tortuous path by which the cavity between the socket outlets 12 and the cover member 24 when the member 24 is in the first position thereof communicates with the exterior of thecover member 24. The cable 15 is disposed along this tortuous path, but it will be noted that with the cover member 24 in the first position shown in FIG. 1 it is substantially impossible for articles of electrically conducting material such as metallic hair clips to be inserted along this tortuous path from externally of the cover member 24 into the openings in the socket outlets 12. Furthermore, the presence of the intermeshing lugs 26, 27 and also of the disc 21 substantially prevent the insertion of any such articles of electrically conducting material into the openings in the socket outlets 12 from externally of the cover member 24 at the fourth side of the socket out lets l2.

The cover member 24 presents a roughened portion 31 which when the member 24 is in the first position thereof frictionally engages the adjacent surface of the rib 28 thereby to restrain the member 24 in this first position thereof. The ends of the body 22 may also be recessed relative to the adjacent main faces of the disc 21 thereby further to restrain the cover member 24 in the first position thereof since in moving the member 24 from this first position towards the second position thereof it is necessary for the arms 19 to be resiliently urged apart.

It will be noted that unlike the arrangement disclosed in the above-identified United States patent to Abra ham it is substantially impossible in the present invention for the socket outlets 12 to become energized as a result of the insertion of an article into the arrangement while the cover member 24 is in the second position, this resulting from the disposition of a portion of the disc 21 of electrically insulating material between the contacts 18 thereby to prevent the switch 17 from attaining the closed condition while the cover member 24 is in this second position. Furthermore, even if as a result of, for example, arcing between the contacts 18 and the body 22 these contacts 18 and the body 22 become secured together, this securement will necessarily be broken when the cover member 24 is moved to the second position shown in FIG. 3, unless of course the securement is sufficiently strong as to prevent such movement of the cover member 24 to the second position thereof. In either event a situation in which the cover member 24 is in the second position and the socket outlets 12 are energized is avoided.

I claim:

1. A safety device for electrical outlets, the device comprising, in combination, an electric switch which is connectible in circuit with an electrical outlet and which has an open condition and a closed condition, supply of electrical energy through said switch being permitted when said switch is in said closed condition and being prevented when said switch is in said open condition, and a cover member which is movable between first and second positions in which said cover member is adapted to cover and uncover, respectively, the electrical outlet, said switch including a control member which is so connected to said cover member that with said cover member in said first position thereof said control member is positioned to cause said switch to be in said closed condition, and with said cover member in said second position thereof said control member is positioned to cause said switch to be in said open condition and to be prevented by said control member from attaining said closed condition.

2. A safety electrical supply arrangement comprising an electrical outlet mounting member provided with at least one electrical outlet location at which an electrical outlet is mountable, an electrical switch which is connectible in circuit with the outlet and which has an open condition and a closed condition, supply of electrical energy through said switch to the outlet being permitted when said switch is in said closed condition and being prevented when said switch is in said open condition, and a cover member which is movable between a first position in which said cover member covers said electrical outlet location and a second position in which said electrical outlet location is uncovered, the switch including a control member which is so connected to said cover member that with said cover member in said first position thereof said control member is positioned to cause said switch to be in said closed condition, and with said cover member in said second position thereof said control member is positioned to cause said switch to be in said open condition and to be prevented by said control member from attaining said closed condition.

3. An arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said cover member is pivotally mounted for said movement of said cover member between said first and second positions thereof.

4. An arrangement according to claim 3, wherein said electric switch further comprises two spaced electrical contacts, said control member of the switch comprising a disc of electrically insulating material through which a body of electrically conducting material is eccentrically mounted with said disc being fixedly mounted on the said cover member and being substantially coaxial with the pivotal mounting thereof, and said switch being in said open condition thereof when a portion of said disc of electrically insulating material is disposed between said electrical contacts, and being in the closed condition thereof when said body of electrically conducting material mounted through said disc is disposed between and in contact with said electrical contacts.

5. An arrangement according to claim 4, wherein said electrical contacts are resiliently urged towards one another, the ends of said body of electrically conducting material being recessed relative to the adjacent faces of said disc of electrically insulating material.

6. An arrangement according to claim 2, wherein with said cover member in said first position thereof a cavity is provided between said electrical outlet location and said cover member, said electrical outlet location within said cavity being in communication by way of a tortuous path with the exterior of said cover member.

7. An arrangement according to claim 6, wherein an upstanding rib at least partially surrounds said electrical outlet location, and said cover member has side walls which when said cover member is in said first position thereof embrace said upstanding rib with at least a portion of said side walls being recessed and being laterally spaced from said upstanding rib thereby to provide said tortuous path.

8. An arrangement according to claim 7, wherein said cover member presents a roughened portion which is in frictional engagement with said upstanding rib when said cover member is in said first position thereof thereby to restrain said cover member in said first position.

9. A safety electrical supply arrangement comprising an electrical outlet mounting member provided with at least one outlet location at which an electrical outlet may be disposed, an upstanding rib which at least partially surrounds said electrical outlet location, an electric switch which is connectible in circuit with the out let and which has an open condition and a closed condition, supply of electrical energy through the said switch to the outlet being permitted when said switch is in said closed condition and being prevented when said switch is in said open condition, and a cover member which is pivotally mounted for movement between a first position in which said cover member covers said electrical outlet location and a second position in which said electrical outlet location is uncovered, said cover member having side walls which when said cover member is in said first position thereof embrace said upstanding rib with a portion of said side walls being recessed and being laterally spaced from said upstanding rib thereby to provide a tortuous path by which said electrical outlet location is in communication with the exterior of said cover member, said switch comprising two spaced electrical contacts and a disc of electrically insulating material through which body of electrically conducting material is eccentrically mounted, with said disc being fixedly mounted on said cover member and being substantially coaxial with the pivotal mounting thereof, and operation of said switch being so controlled that with said cover member in said first position said body of electrically conducting material mounted through said disc is disposed between and in contact with said electrical contacts whereby said switch is in said closed condition thereof, and with said cover member in said second position a portion of said disc of electrically insulating material is disposed between said electrical contacts whereby said switch is in said open condition thereof. 

1. A safety device for electrical outlets, the device comprising, in combination, an electric switch which is connectible in circuit with an electrical outlet and which has an open condition and a closed condition, supply of electrical energy through said switch being permitted when said switch is in said closed condition and being prevented when said switch is in said open condition, anD a cover member which is movable between first and second positions in which said cover member is adapted to cover and uncover, respectively, the electrical outlet, said switch including a control member which is so connected to said cover member that with said cover member in said first position thereof said control member is positioned to cause said switch to be in said closed condition, and with said cover member in said second position thereof said control member is positioned to cause said switch to be in said open condition and to be prevented by said control member from attaining said closed condition.
 2. A safety electrical supply arrangement comprising an electrical outlet mounting member provided with at least one electrical outlet location at which an electrical outlet is mountable, an electrical switch which is connectible in circuit with the outlet and which has an open condition and a closed condition, supply of electrical energy through said switch to the outlet being permitted when said switch is in said closed condition and being prevented when said switch is in said open condition, and a cover member which is movable between a first position in which said cover member covers said electrical outlet location and a second position in which said electrical outlet location is uncovered, the switch including a control member which is so connected to said cover member that with said cover member in said first position thereof said control member is positioned to cause said switch to be in said closed condition, and with said cover member in said second position thereof said control member is positioned to cause said switch to be in said open condition and to be prevented by said control member from attaining said closed condition.
 3. An arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said cover member is pivotally mounted for said movement of said cover member between said first and second positions thereof.
 4. An arrangement according to claim 3, wherein said electric switch further comprises two spaced electrical contacts, said control member of the switch comprising a disc of electrically insulating material through which a body of electrically conducting material is eccentrically mounted with said disc being fixedly mounted on the said cover member and being substantially coaxial with the pivotal mounting thereof, and said switch being in said open condition thereof when a portion of said disc of electrically insulating material is disposed between said electrical contacts, and being in the closed condition thereof when said body of electrically conducting material mounted through said disc is disposed between and in contact with said electrical contacts.
 5. An arrangement according to claim 4, wherein said electrical contacts are resiliently urged towards one another, the ends of said body of electrically conducting material being recessed relative to the adjacent faces of said disc of electrically insulating material.
 6. An arrangement according to claim 2, wherein with said cover member in said first position thereof a cavity is provided between said electrical outlet location and said cover member, said electrical outlet location within said cavity being in communication by way of a tortuous path with the exterior of said cover member.
 7. An arrangement according to claim 6, wherein an upstanding rib at least partially surrounds said electrical outlet location, and said cover member has side walls which when said cover member is in said first position thereof embrace said upstanding rib with at least a portion of said side walls being recessed and being laterally spaced from said upstanding rib thereby to provide said tortuous path.
 8. An arrangement according to claim 7, wherein said cover member presents a roughened portion which is in frictional engagement with said upstanding rib when said cover member is in said first position thereof thereby to restrain said cover member in said first position.
 9. A safety electrical supply arrangement coMprising an electrical outlet mounting member provided with at least one outlet location at which an electrical outlet may be disposed, an upstanding rib which at least partially surrounds said electrical outlet location, an electric switch which is connectible in circuit with the outlet and which has an open condition and a closed condition, supply of electrical energy through the said switch to the outlet being permitted when said switch is in said closed condition and being prevented when said switch is in said open condition, and a cover member which is pivotally mounted for movement between a first position in which said cover member covers said electrical outlet location and a second position in which said electrical outlet location is uncovered, said cover member having side walls which when said cover member is in said first position thereof embrace said upstanding rib with a portion of said side walls being recessed and being laterally spaced from said upstanding rib thereby to provide a tortuous path by which said electrical outlet location is in communication with the exterior of said cover member, said switch comprising two spaced electrical contacts and a disc of electrically insulating material through which body of electrically conducting material is eccentrically mounted, with said disc being fixedly mounted on said cover member and being substantially coaxial with the pivotal mounting thereof, and operation of said switch being so controlled that with said cover member in said first position said body of electrically conducting material mounted through said disc is disposed between and in contact with said electrical contacts whereby said switch is in said closed condition thereof, and with said cover member in said second position a portion of said disc of electrically insulating material is disposed between said electrical contacts whereby said switch is in said open condition thereof. 